Automatic train conthol



Reissued Feb. 13, 1923.

:PAUL J. SIMMEN, or BUFEALO, NEW YORK.

, AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL.

original No. 1,399,027, dated To all whom 'it may concern i Bc it known that I. PAUL J. SnnrnN, a

Icitizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie ,-gland State of New (York. have invented a new and useful Automatic Train Control7 of l. which the following is a specification.

. I.This invention relates to railways and .particularly to the control ofzcars or trains l0. thereon.

vAn important object of this' invention is VAan arrangement and construction of trainV Icontrol whereby trackway means are enabled .i tocreate a plurality of distinctive conditions uponthe car or train, which dist-inctivecon- -*di'tions maybe used to appropriately 'gov' ern the train lin as manyffdifferent ways.

Other objects and advantages of the in- "ventioniwill appear as the description, here inatter appearingofthe particular physical v V embodimentwhich has beenselected to illustrate the principle of the invention. progresses. and the novel featuresof the invention will be particularly included in the claims hereto appended. The invention consists in the, combinal tions and constructions, embodying the prin* y ciple of the invention. and particularly described in the specification and pointed outin the claims for one particular physical embodiment of the invention. 'y "Tn describing the principle of the invention. reference had to an illu'stratii-'e physical yembodiment illustrated 'by a' single 'schematic view in the drawings forming a j"`"partfot this specification. which drawing fillustrates the invention as appliedto a car. inthe drawing used yfor illustrating the particular physical embodiment of the principle of my invention. `an 'ordinary railroad -ftieisl shown at 1. Mounted ou this tie in fthe usual and ordinary 4manner are'the ,lail`s2 A'car'jis illustrated as bei-ng on'the rails 1.2,.by thelshowing of .the ordinary axle 3 and the Wheels I p The caiawhiclris designated as a whole by Q 'iirries a relay A Rand anotherrelay D fhe'sejrelaQy/fsyare used ,to suitably control `.the schematically illustrated devices 76 and 81,1y inclusive. These devices 76 and 8l inclu- '.eiveymay be of any sort desired which may December 6, 1921, Serial No. 369,131, tiled March 26, 1920. Application for reissue tiled July 15, 1922.

Serial No. 575,411.

be operated to one condition by allow of electrical energy and which' will assume another condition when the How of elec trical energy ceases. They maybe anyof the well known devices. which register or recorda condition or which control a train directly or through the intervention of a human agency. The devices 76 to 81 in elusive are merely the means by which the plurality of different conditions on the train may be made manifest. The devices 7G to 81 inclusive as will be hereinafter fully pointed out are controlled by appropriate energizationsof'relays A R and D R.

In order 'to appropriately control the relays A R. and D R onthe car .(l. a shoe 5 is provided on the car C pivoted at the point 8 to thel bracket 7 secured in any apF prop .r'iate and s i'litable manner to a portion *off-'tha car. Tins shoe 5 operates electrical contacts and contacts with and is lifted by the ramp 8 positioned alongside of a rail. as 2. in any suitable or appropriate manner ,on the trackwa'y and supported. as by means of tie l.

In order to enable the shoe by contact with the ramp 8 to effectuate its purpose. that is, control relays A R and D R there is provided on the trackway a source of direct current. 9 and a source of alternating current 10'. The alternating current generatorl0 is connected to one rail 2 by means of wire ll. condenser-.12 and wires 13 and 14.

Y'lhc other terminal ot' alternatinggenerator current 10 1st connected to ramp Q hy means 'of wirerilffhand switch '16. wire 1T. condenser /18 land wiresyvlf) and 20M,

The source of direct current 9. herein illustrated as a battery'. isalso connected to the rail 'andjthe ramp 8. As it is desired to at times have ram 8 connected with the positive terminal of source 9 andthe rail 2 connected with-'the negative terminal while at other times it is desired to have the ramp 8 connected to the negative terminal of source 9 and the rail 2 .connected to the positive terminal of' source 9- the reversing switch designated as a whole by Sis inter posed between thi` rail 2 and the ramp S and the source 9. 21-a11d 22 ofthe switch S are pivotcd at the -points'QS and 24 respectively. 'hen thc The two conductingarmsarms 21 and 22 are moved into contact with the points 25 and 26 respectively. then the ramp 8 is positively energized, that is, is connected to the-positive terminal of the source 9. the connection being as follows: wire 27, point 25. arm 21. pivot 23. wire 28.

choke coil 29 and wires 30 and 20. At theI same time the rail 2 is connected to the negative terminal of source 9 as follows: wire 31, point 26, conducting arm 22. pivot 24, wire 32, choke coil 33 and wires 34 and 14 to the rail 2. ln case it is desired to negatively energize ramp S. that is. have the ram i 8 connected with the negative terminal oi source 9 then the conducting arms 21 and 22 of switch S aremoved into conA tact with points 35 and 25. respectively. so that then the connection from the negative terminal of the source 9 to the rampl 8 is as follows: wiies 31 and 36. point 35. conducting arm 21, pivot 23. wire 28. choke coil 29 and wires 30 and 20 to the ramp 3. At the same time the rail 2 is connected to thcpositive terminal of source 9 as follows: wire 27. point 25, conducting arm 32, pivot 24. wire 32. choke coil 33 and wires 34 and 14 to the rail 2.

dent that when it S neither electrified is desired to have ramp positively or negatively the conducting arms 21 and 22 of switch i@ will be moved out of contact with all of the points 25, 2G and 35 and it will also lie-evident that switch arm 16 may be pivoted on point 37 so as to be moved into contact or out of contact with point 3S. rPhe condens- `ers 12 and 13 are inserted in` the circuit ol alternating current generator 10 in order to prevent the direct `current from the i source 9 from flowing through the alternating current generator. The choke coils 29 and 33 are inserted in the circuit of they direct current source 9 in order to prevent alternating 'current from the alternating generator current 1() from flowing through or to the direct current source 9.

The relay A R on the car is double wound. that is, it has a winding 39 and a winding 40. This relay also has two armatures 41 and 42. which are in the upptlr position as shown when either of the coils 39 or 4 0 is energized but move to a lower position when both of the coils 39 and 4l) are deenergized. a

VThe relay D R has armatures 43. 44 and 45. which when the relay is energized are in the upper position as shown. but when the relay is deenergized are in a lower position; The relay l) R also includes what are known as polarized armatures 46. 47. 48 and 49. These armatures swing from right to left as viewed in the drawing. 'hen the relay l) ll is energized positively. that is. when the current enters l) lt 'by means of wire 5U, then all of the armatures -lt to 49 inclusive swing to the right to the posiwith ramp l't will of course be evi-l `66, 58 and 59. axle tion as shown i'n the drawing. \Vhen, however, the current leaves the relay D R by means of wire 50, that is, when it is lneg'- atively energized, then all of the armatures 46 to 49 inclusive swing to a lefthand position corresponding tothe right hand position as vshown in the drawing.

It is the intention to have the coil 39 of relay VA R operated byalternating current only and consequently the condenser 51 is inserted between wires 52 and 53 so that only alternatine current may reach the coil"-` 39 of relay A On the other hand it is Athe intention to have relay D R operate oill by direct current,lconse uently a. choke coll 41 54 is inserted between t e wires 59 and 55 so that only direct current may reach the relay D R.

1f alternating current from the nerator 10 is supplied to ramp 8 then as t car C advances and causes the -shoe 5 to contact -8 the alternating current will How from ramp 8 by means of wires 56 and' 53 to and through condenser 51. .then through wire 52, through the coils 39 ofre- 9 lay A R and thence by means of `wires 57i. 58'and59 to the axle 3, and thence 'by wheels 4 and rail 2 to the wire ltthus returning tothe alternating current generator. The result of currenttlowing in the above traced path will be the energization of relay A R causing armatures 41 and 42 -to be raised if they are in the lower position or to hold them in the raised position if they are already raised. Rarp 8, is, as usual. inclined on both ends` and allows the shoe 5 to gradually lower as .the car passes the ramp, so that insulated metallic plate 60 connects wires 61 and 62 before the shoe 5 actually leaves the ramp 8'.. The connection of wires 6,1 and, 62 bythe shoe 5 while the armature 41 is ina raised position causes a stick circuit to be formed through thecoil 40 of the relay A R which circuit serves to maintain the relay A R energized until the advancing car C causes its shoe 5 to contact with another ramp 8. This stick circuit is as follows: one terminal of bat-. tery 63. wire 64. coil 40`of relay A R. wirel 61. plate 60. wire' 62, armature -41. in the raised position and wire 65 to the other terminal of battery 63.

`lf the'ramp 8 is positively energized then when the shoe 5 contacts therewith direct current will flow through the relayD R en; -12 tering by means of wire 50. The cifcuitri.` as follows: ramp 8. shoe 5,".wiresv56'and55-,g choke coil 54. wire '50', relay D 'i 'fl 3. rail 2 andwire the other side of the source 9,'the condu' arms 21 and 22 being in contact'with points 25 and 26 respectively.' The ramp.'

being inclined on both ends, the shoe `ikwill he lowered an'd make contact with the' (fv before the shoe 5 breaks contact with of the battery '68, wires 69 and 70, polarized y armature 47 which was thrown to the posi-l tion shownby the positive energization of relay D R, wires 71 and 72, armature 43,/

wire 67, shoe 5,-Wires 5 6 and 55, choke coil 54. wire 50, relay D R, wires 6,6, 58,and 73, polarized armature "46 and wire 74 to the other-terminal of the battery 68. The eurrent flowing in the above traced path will maintain the relay D R energized While the car C is passing betweenramps. The posi-, tive energization of relay D R causes polarized armatures- 46 to 49 inclusive, to be moved to thev right as shown in the draw 1nd. v

tlf the ramp 8.is negatively energized then the positive current, when the shoe 5 contacts with ramp 8, will flow from wire 14 to `rail 2, the circuit then being as follows:

wheel 4, axle 3. wires 59. 58 andA 66. relay D R, wire 50, choke coil54. wires and 56, shoe 5,'ramp 8 and thence by wire 20 to the negative terminal of the source 9, it being understood that the conducting arms 2l and 22 of the switch S are in contact with the points .and 25 respectively. The current. flowing in the above traced path will negatively energize relay D R and so cause the polarized armatures 46 to 49 inclusive to swing to a left hand position corresponding to the right hand position as shown in the drawing.v Even when relayD R is negatively energized i'twill also lbe stuck up by a circuit as follows: battery 68, wires 69`and 75. polarized armature 46 in the left hand. position by reason oi the previous negative energization of relay D R, wires 73, 58 and 66. relay D R. wire 50. choke coil 54, Wires and 56, shoe 5, wire 67:, armature 43, wires 72 and 71,. polarized armature 47 in the left hand position, and wire 74 to the other terminal vof the battery 68.

1t will of course' be understood that whether relay D R- is energized positively or negatively the armatures 43, 44 and 45 will be in the upper position a'nd 4it will be only when relay D R is not energized at all that the armatures' 43 to 45 inclusive are in the lower position. It will also be understood that polarized armatures 46-to 49 inelusive will yremain in the posit-ion tov which last been moved until the relay s been reversely energized. fe 76y is energized when alternating t potential is applied to ramp 8 is in ition positively energized. Under these onditions relay A R is energized, relay D is energized and the armatures 46 to 49 in'- clusive, arevmoved to the. right shown in the drawing. Under these conditions a circuit is formed through device 76 as follows: battery 68, wires` 69 and 70, larmature 47,

wires 71 and 82, armature 42, wire 83. armavice v76, wires 86, 87, 88. 89, 90. 91. 59 and T3. armature 46 and wire 74'to the other termi nal of battery'68.

Device -77' isenergized when alternating' 'ture 44, wire l84, armature 4), wire de current potential is impressed upon rampt8 and also ,the ramp is negative-lv energized-T 'Y that is, direct current potential is impressed upon rail 2. A R is energized, relay D R is energized and Under these conditions relay armatures 46 to 49 inclusive are moved to the left hand position. a circuit is formed through device 7T as follows: battery 68, wires 69 and 75, armature Under these conditions 'f 46 in the left hand position, wires' 73. 59, 91. 'l 90, 89, 88, 87, 92, deviee 77, wire 94, arma#Y l ture 49 in the left hand position'` wirev 84; f

armature 44, wire 83, armature 42, wires-82 and 71. armature 47 in the left hand position and wire 74 to the other terminal 'ot battery 68.

Device 78 is energized when the ramp 8; is,

positively energized, only, that is, when only, .i

a` direct current potential is impressed upon ramp 8. Under these conditions relayy A ,-R f would be deenergized due to the breakingr ot'r i.. the stick circuit" by the raisingr of shoe 5.; i when it contacts with the rampLS and relay 1 D R would be energized and the armatures46 to 49 inclusive placed in the right hand position as shown 1n the drawing. Under these conditionsthe device 7 8 would be energized j by av circuit as follows: battery 68, wires 69 and 70,` polarized armature 47, wires 71 and 98,"armature 45, .wire 99, armature 48 in the right hand position. wire 100, device 7 8, wires 93. 88,l 89, 90, 91. 59, 73. karmature-46, in the 'right hand position, and wire 74 to the other terminal of the battery 68. l

Device- 79 would be energized when the 82, armature 42 in the lower position, wire v ramp 8 is negatively energized only, that is, 4 when the rail 2 has a direct current poten-` tial impressed upon it and no alternating current is supplied to ramp 8. Under these conditions the relay A R would be deenergized and the relay DR would be energized and the polarized armatures 46 to 49 inclu,- sive, would be in the extreme left lhand position corresponding to the right hand y.

position as shown upon therdrawing. Under these conditions a circuit would be formed through device 79 as follows: batterv 68.

wires 69 and 75, armature 46 in the letti1-and position` wires 73, 59, 91, 90, 89 and 94, dev vice 79, wire 101, polarized armature 48 in the left hand position, wire 99, armature 45,

lwire 98. armature 42 in the lower position,

wires 82 and 71. polarized armature 47 in the left hand position and wire 74 to the` other' K terminal of the battery 68.

The device 80'would be energized when an alternating current potential' only is im1 1ao`` pressed upolrthe ramp 8. Under these conditions relay .ll would he energized but1 relay l) li would he deenei'gized because its stick circuit would he broken at plate 6() by 'the raising ol the shoe 5 by the ramp 8. l'nder such conditions device 80 would be energized through a circuit as follows: .battery 13S. wires (i9 and T5. armature 4G assiniiing that the' last energization of relay D was negative. wires 731.43191, DU'and 95, device 8U. wire 1.02. arniature 44 in the lower position. wire H3. armature 42, wires S2 and T1. armature 4T in the left hand position an'd wire T4 to the other-terininal-of battery (i8.

Device H1 is energized when either adirect current potential or an alternating current potential is impressed upon the ranipV 8 or the rail 2. Under such conditions both relays A l and l) li will be -deenergized'and their armatures inthe lower position. Under such conditions-a circuit through device 8l willhe formed follows: battery (5S. wires (39 and 75, polarized armature 46' in theleft hand position. assuming that relay Vl) R was last negatively energized. wires .7 3. :BSL 91 and 9G. device 81. wire' 10i-5, armature- 45 in the lower position. wire $)8.'aiiiiatiii'e lQ'in the lower iosition. wires 72 and S1 polarized armature- 477 in the vleft hand posisy tion and wire 74 to the other terminal of battery (3S. v i

From the ahove description it will be apparent that the following conditions prevail. that is. thatthedevices 7G to 8l inclusive are energized when the conditions Y are as follows: device T6 is energized when ramp S is energized with alternating current aiid'positively energized with direct current; device 7T is energized when ramp 8 is energized with alternating current and negatively energized with direct current; device T8 is energized when ramp H positively energized with direct current only; tevice TS) is energized when ramp t5 is negatively energized with direct current only; device 8() is energized when ramp 8 is energized with alternating only; and device 81 is en* ei'gized when either alternating current or direct current is supplied to ramp 8.

In ,the foregoing description, devices 76 to 8l inclusive have not been specifically designated as representing any particular specific device. This is because the schematic showing of these devices 76 to 81 inclusive, is'in tended to inolude'any and all devices appropriate for-either directly controlling a car or train as by means of the air brake or. indirectly as by means of a lamp or othersignal given to the driver of the trainso that he may then control the train or may represent' registering or recording devices for indicating the condition set up on the train or car. Although the sources ot current have been shown as manually controlled it is to be understood that any of the well known methods of controlling these sources for connection or disconnection with ramp S are contemplated.

It should also be further understood that ramp S is only a schematic illustration ot the ordinary and conventional ramp having a horizontal portion and an incline at `both ends ,and that the number used and their position and spacing longitudinally or' the track is dependent upon the result sought to he accomplished in the control of the train.

Although the construction ot' one physical embodiment of the invention has been particularly' described and the operation and principle thereof explained nevertheless it is desired to have it understood that the forni selected is merely illustrative but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying the invention.

lVliat is claimed as new and desired to serciiie by Letters Patent of the United States7 '1. In an automatic train control, in com# hination: a roadway; a car; a source of electric current of one characteristic on there# d t way; a source of electric current of another characteristic on the roadway and having at least two variations of that characteristic; electrical receiving devices on the car; means for conditioning the electrical receiving de.` vices on the car from the said sources where- `b v at least four distinctive conditions of the electrical receiving devices may be obtained.

2. In an automatic train control. in coinhination: a roadway; a car; six electrical receiving devices on the car; a source ot' electric current of one characteristic on the roadway; a source of electric current of Aanother characteristic on the roadway and having at least two variations of,that characteristic; means includinga single ramp for connecting the said sources with and disconnecting the said sources from the sixl electrical receiving devices so that six distinctive conditions are established.

3.. In an automatic train control, in combination a roadway; a source of electric current of one characteristic on the roadway; a source ofelectrical current of another characteristic on the roadway and having at least two variations of that characteristic; two electrical devices on the car; means for energizing one oit the electrical devices by current of one cliaracteristic and means for `energizing the other of the electrical devices' by current of the other characteristic and means controlled jointly by the two electrical devices for trainv control.

4. In an automatic train control, in com- .blin'e on a roadway; a' source of electric cur- "rent"o"t` one characteristic onthe roadway; a source of electric current of another characteristic on the roadway and having at least two variations of that'characteristic;

an electrical device on the car; a secondelec-- trical device on4 the car including an armature diiferently operated by the said variations; means for energizing the first mentioned electrical device by current of one characteristic; means for'nergizing the second mentioned electrical device by the variations of Vthe current of the other char actcristic and means controlled jointly by the first mentioned electrical device and the armature `of the second mentioned electrical device for train control.

5. In an automatic train control. in com bnation: a source of alternating current; a source of direct current; twowires; meai'is connecting the first mentioned means, inclu/ding condensers, with the wires'; means connecting the second mentioned source with the wires including reactances; train control devices and ine-ans connecting?, the two" wires with the train control devices.

6. In an automatic train control, in combination: a roadway; a car; a source of electric current of one characteristic 'on the road* way; a source of electric current of another characteristic on the roadway; electrical receiving devices on the car; and means in cooperation selectively with the sources of current singly or in theircombination whereby at least four distinctive conditions of the electrical receiving devices may be obtained.

7. In an automatic train control, in com-y bination; a roadway; a car; a source of alternating` current on the roadway; a source of direct current on the roadway; two wires; means severally connecting said sources with said wires and adapted for operation selectively, singly or simultaneously; electrical receiving devices on the car; and means conmeeting the ywires with the electrical receiving devices whereby said devices are severally responsive to particular electriced conditions of said wires.

8. In an automatic train control, in coinbination: a roadway; a car; a source of alternating current on thev roadway; a source ot direct current on the roadway; a ramp through which current from said sources is passed; means for selecting current from said sources singly or in combinationga circuit on the car taking alternating:v current from lsaid ramp; another circuit on the car taking direct current from the ramp; electrical receivinq' devices on the car; means in Said circuits fdr conditioning said electrical receiving devices; and means for continuing 'the operation of saidv last named means as produced by theelectrical condition of the ramp after the car has passed beyond the ramp. o Y

9. In an automatic ltrain control, in 'combination; a roadway; a car; a source of current of one characteristic on the roadway; a source of current of another characteristic on the roadway; a ramp through which current from -said sources is passed; means for selecting current from said sources singly or in combination; a circuit on` the car taking current of the iiist characteristic 'troni I said ramp: another circuit on the car taliing current or the second characteristic from said ramp; electrical receiving: devices on the car; means in said circuits `.for conditioning A said electrical'receivingvdevice and means for continuing the 'operation of said last i named means as produced by the electrical condition of the ramp after thc car has passed beyond the ramp;

10. In an automatic train control. in corn-i` conc itioned by the armatures of said relays Vec] y' means arranged at intervals along the road` way for supplying operating currents ci' diiierent characteristics to said relays; said relays being subject to operation singly or simultaneously according to the electrical condition of said means; and means on 'the j said first named means for continuing tire i car effective when the car has passed beyi'ii'id operation ot' said armatures as produced by the.' electrical condition of said first" nainci'lf means.y l

' l1." In an automatic train control, in cour bination i a roadway; al car a relay on the caii operated by electrical current ot one (than acteristic: a. second relay on the car oper# ated by electrical current ot another charL acteristic; electrical receivingdevices cofi-V ditioned by the armatures of said relays:

means arranged at intervals along' the roadj way forsupplying opera-tingl currents ot different characteristics to said relays; said relays being subject to operation singrljiVY or simultaneously according to electricaly condition of said means; and means on thc car effective when the car has passed beyond said first named means for continiiungr tli'c operation of said armatures as produced by the electrical condition of said first named 12. In an automatic train coiitroi. income bination: a roadway; a car: a relay on the car operated by electrical` current oi' one characteristic: a second' relay on the car operated by electrical current ot' another characteristic.: electrical receiving devices different characteristics to said relays; said relays being subject to operation singly or simultaneously according to the electrical condition of said means; means on the car for supplying operating current to said receiving devices; and means including elements in cooperation withsaid last named means, and effective when the car has Apassed;

beyond said first named means for continus ing the operation ofv said armatures as produced by the electrical condition of said first named means.

13. 1n an automatic train control, in combination: a roadway; a car; electrical "receiving devices. and a"cuireiit source on the car; circuits for the electrical receiving devices, said circuits including said `current source and one of said circuits being normally closed; means for selectively condithe co-operativc-actions ot' said elements for interrupted,

,continuing the condition of said circuits as next previously established by said elements.

14. In an automate train control, in combination: a roadway: a car; intermittently normally electrified ramps along the roadway; sources of current of different characteristic .along the roadwayY .so connected to said ramps vthat current mayv be supplied selectively. from said sources singly or in combination ;.a slice on the car adapted to be displaced by said ramps; a switch on the car open by such displacement;

magnets on the car having their armatures provided with front stops and severally responsive to the particular currents transmitted by said ampsg a current source on the car; electrical receiving devices on the car; circuits for the electrical receiving devices, said circuits including saidfcurrent source on the car and one of said circuits be ing normally closed; normally closed self-restoring circuits including said magnets, said shoe, said switch, said armatures and said front stops whereby either 'of vsaidinagnets is automatically self-restoring to normal condition, attractingr its armature Whenever vs'aid shoe passes beyond an electrified ramp.

15.'In iin automatic train control, in combination: a roadway;l a car; intermittently interrupted, normally .electrified ramps along the. roadwa sources of current of di'erent characteristic along the roadway so connected to said ramps that current may be supplied' selectively from saidsources singly or incombination; a shoe on the car adapted to be displaced -by said ramps; a switchon the car open by such displacement; magnets ont-he ear having their armatures provided with front stops and severally responsive to the particular currents transmitted by said ramps; a current source on the car; electrical receiving devices on the car; circuits for the electrical receivi'iigrr devices, said circuits including said currentsource on the car and one of said circuits heini; normally closed:

normally closed self-restoring circuits severally including said magnets, one of said cir# cuits including said switch and the arinatui'rr and front stop of its corresponding magnet,

conditioning said devices from and in accordance with the current delivered at said ramps, and means for automatically continuing the o )eration of a receiving' device Aafter the car has passed [beyond the 'electrified ramp by whichvthe operation of such receiving deviceuw'as initiated.

17. In an automatic vtrain control. a car, a roadway. and electrical receiving devices on the car, in combination with sources of current of different characteristic on the roadway, intermittently arranged ramps to which .current trom'either or both of said sources is transmitted` means on the car forv conditioning said devices from and in accordance with the current delivered at said ramps, and means for automatically con* tinuingi` the operation of a. receiving device after the car has passed beyond the electrified third rail by which the operation of such receiving device was initiated and in further combination with another electrical receiving device and means for causing the 'operation of saidlast named receivingdevice in the absence of energy at said ramps and -or continuing suoli operation until the car passes in relation to an electrified ramp.

PAUL J. SIMME'N. 

